5/27/2025
New Smyrna Speedway
Wet and Wild! 5/24/2025 Race Recap
A soggy afternoon led to a lot of changes to the May 24th racing program but once the weather moved out we were able to push through and get the show in. The biggest change on the night was the Modified drivers agreeing to run just one 35 lap race and the Bomber B class running their heats first. This move worked out well as light rain began again once the Bombers finally hit the track for their heat. Once that last sprinkle left the area it was clear for the rest of the night allowing us to have another great evening of racing!
The J&C Gradall Modifieds would kick off the feature events with their lone 35 lap race. Fast qualifiers Richie Smith would quickly work his way to the front and take control of the race but behind him, it would be a war of attrition. Louis Brashear would be the first driver to retire with mechanical issues. After he went out, pole sitter Tank Tucker would also have mechanical issues and fall out too. Alan Bruns would have his car shut down too, but he would continue and finish in the 3rd position. Once the checkers flew no one had a thing for Richie Smith who would pick up his 3rd win of the year! Jerry Symons, who blew a motor in a mid-week test would come home second after the team scrambled to get the car ready to go for race day. All these drivers will have to get back to work quick as the Modifieds return on June 7th!
A stout field of 14 Ashley Homes JAX Pro Trucks once again gave the fans their monies worth! Don Duval finally found some speed in his purple number 30 machine and led the opening couple of laps, but then disaster struck. Something in the rear end broke as Don entered turn 4 and his truck violently struck the wall on corner exit. He would shoot back across the racetrack but thankfully everyone would be able to get by. Don was able to climb out under his own power, allowing everyone to take a sigh of relief.
Once the race resumed it turned into a war between Derek Pugh and George Gorham Jr. The Two were racing side by side when Gorham would side swipe the 3 of Pugh down the front stretch which would light a fire under Derek Pugh mid race. Race control would get on the radio and tell the drivers to settle down and of course the race would come down to a restart with just a few to go. On the restart George Gorham made sure Derek Pugh did not have a change at “revenge” as he pulled away to pick up his 3rd win of the season. A very upset Derek Pugh settled for 2nd and a very relaxed and excited Maria Martins came home in 3rd!
Much like the Modifieds, The Florida Southern Ground Pounder race was a race of survival. Many cars suffered mechanical issues, including Scott Cutter who blew up big time in the heat race. Hank sanders was the dominate car of the race, but mechanical problems took him out right at the halfway point of the race. This would hand the lead to Art Kunzeman in the “Possum” but he would go for a spin with just a few laps remaining handing the lead and then the victory to Tobi Smith (Overall and "Modified" Class Winner). All was not lost for Art however, as he would take home the win in the “Stock Car” class and Frank Pelkey would take the victory for the “Sportsman” class.
The Bomber B division would close out the program with another fun 20 lap contest. A wild Dustin Higdon spin at the front of the field set the tone early in this one as a rash of cautions would slow the event. Higdon who has had nothing but bad luck since buying the former Zachary Curtis machine, would find issues again with a flat tire that sent him spinning again. Higdon would retire from the race after that. Up front it was all Zachary Curtis who was able to work the gremlins out of his new 63 car and claim his 4th victory of the 2025 season. “The Mallot” Chase Symons would hold on to finish 2nd, with last year’s champion Jason Skovran coming home a season best 3rd!
It was a challenging night for everyone as the rain really tried its best to spoil the party. We are very thankful for all the staff who pushed through and helped get this place race ready so we could get the show in. And we thank the fans for their patience while they sat through the elements. And of course we thank our drivers and their crews for sticking with us through less than ideal conditions and putting on some really good racing once things finally got going! We look forward to seeing everyone again this Saturday at First Responders Family Fun Nigh on May 31stt!
Full Race Results: https://www.newsmyrnaspeedway.org/schedules/event/544284
Full Event Videos: https://www.youtube.com/@SpeedwayVideo
Event Photos: https://jimjonesphoto.photoreflect.com/
Article Credit: Ryan Stevens
Submitted By: Ryan Stevens
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